Better late than never again

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Flashback: Brad Fittler back in the NSW Blues outfit at Coogee yesterday, where the State of Origin team was gathering for training. Photo: Craig Golding

Brad Fittler's pivotal return to Origin is a dream come true for the younger players, but a nightmare for the Roosters, writes Jacquelin Magnay.

In true superstar fashion, Brad Fittler was more than an hour late for his State of Origin return, a fact blamed on his furious Roosters coach, Ricky Stuart, who punished the club team with a four-hour training session after losing to the Bulldogs on Friday.

But two key trademarks of famed rockers were missing from the Fittler appearance - dark sunglasses and the wearied "been there" attitude. Fittler fairly bounced into the Crowne Plaza at Coogee at 4pm, relaxed and smiling. Things are going well in Fittler's final playing days.

"Late for his first session, some things never change," remarked Blues coach Phil Gould. But no one in the Blues camp cared.

Here was arguably the world's best five-eighth, suddenly injected into a classy line-up. If there were any question marks about Fittler's representative rejuvenation, they were from his club side. When asked about the response to his shock call-up from his Roosters club, Fittler cast his eyes down and reckoned club coach Stuart was "100 per cent" behind his decision to play.

But Gould was more forthcoming. Chairman Nick Politis had rung him in the afternoon and, according to Gould, he didn't get too many words in. Obviously the Roosters might have mixed feelings about Fittler's Origin appearance and risk of injury, but the Blues team was buzzing.

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The three Penrith players, Luke Rooney, Luke Lewis and Trent Waterhouse, spoke about how they never thought they would get an opportunity to play in the same side as Fittler, who has already announced his retirement from the game at the end of this season.

For Rooney, who attended the same St Dominic's school at Penrith, albeit quite a few years behind Fittler, the excitement was palpable. "He is a living legend and has been my hero since school, I still can't believe I will play in the same team," a clearly starstruck Rooney revealed.

Within minutes of arriving at the Origin camp, the feelings of anticipation and intense scrutiny returned, Fittler said. Television cameras and photographers followed him like he was the Pied Piper, bystanders gaped, others sought autographs. And during a media conference it suddenly dawned on Fittler that leaving the comfy family surrounds of partner Marie and daughter Demi wasn't going to be any sanctuary. "I can't imagine sharing a room with a 21-year-old bloke, I don't know what to do with these guys," he laughed.

Fittler revealed he was swayed into playing his first representative game since losing the Origin series in 2001 because of his friendship with Gould and the fact the team had suffered a rash of injuries to the pivot spot.

"It is a great opportunity to resurrect the ending that I had," Fittler said, referring to that famed 2001 Origin, where another great, Allan Langer, had starred in his own sudden recall.

"Gus had asked me before but he was trying to make me feel good. This time I knew he was serious," he added.

Fittler said he watched Origin I and thought some of the players didn't put everything on the line, but he distanced himself from any leadership role, claiming: "I am the new bloke, I will try to blend in, if they ask for advice I will give it, but there is the coach and skipper [Danny Buderus] here."

Blues officials were circumspect about whether Fittler's return was for a one-game guest appearance or whether he would feature in Origin III as well.

Fittler said he was just concentrating on the upcoming match in Queensland. But Fittler is not alone in this heralded return. Both halfback Brett Kimmorley and forward Jason Stevens return after three-year absences.

Gould said he picked a team "with a bit of experience about it" and "well versed in the leadership stakes" because Queensland would be stronger with the return of Darren Lockyer.

Stevens was painting his house when he heard the news and remarked: "It is just like the old times." He, too, joked that his first thought was, "Gee, am I too old? But then I heard Freddie's [Fittler] name and felt a lot better."